Winner of the 2017 The Very Best Book Awards (Young Adult Category)

Shortlisted for the 2018 Manitoba Young Reader’s Choice Award

Presentation Information

Andreas loves engaging with students about writing, books, and publishing. Using PowerPoint slides and loads of cool graphics, he guides his audience through the process of how the spark of an idea can become a book.

Andreas also enjoys talking about historical hoaxes—hoaxes being a prominent theme in History in the Faking, Book One in The Shenanigans Series. Young people love the notion of kids being able to trick adults, so this discussion is always a hit with classes.

And after thirty years of writing, Andreas has developed Twelve Amazing Tips for Making Your Writing Sizzle, which he shares at the end of each visit. His silly images and funny examples are sure to help kids remember each tip.

Biography

Andreas Oertel was born in Germany, but he’s lived most of his life in Canada. He has a degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Winnipeg and a diploma in Environmental Health from the British Columbia Institute of Technology. Over the years, Andreas has had a hundred different jobs—everything from rickshaw driver to public health inspector—but his favourite vocation is writing fiction for young people.

Andreas has always had crazy story ideas in his head, and he’s always wanted to be a writer. So, one Manitoba winter, he decided to start his first book. Writing a page-a-day, he finished History in the Faking in six months. That story was so well-received, it evolved into the successful Shenanigans Series.

Andreas lives with his wife Diane, next to the Lee River, just east of Lac du Bonnet, Manitoba. And when he’s not writing, you can usually find him outside—walking, biking, or messing around on his boat.

Standing over 200 centimeters tall (6 feet, five inches), Andreas claims to be the tallest writer in Canada. (But how could anyone even know that!?)

Andreas likes treasure hunting with his metal detector, but he’s starting to think it’s broken. He’s found hundreds of bottle caps, but no treasure.

Andreas spends much of his free time visiting schools and libraries, and in 2012 and 2013 he was asked to be Writer in Residence at Centennial School in Lac du Bonnet.

Awards

Prisoner of Warren

Winner of the 2017 The Very Best Book Awards (Young Adult Category)

Shortlisted for the 2018 Manitoba Young Reader’s Choice Award

Shortlisted for the 2017 McNally Robinson Book for Young People Award

History in the Faking, The Shenanigans Series: Book One

Shortlisted for the 2011 Silver Birch Award

Shortlisted for the 2011 Manitoba Young Reader’s Choice Award

Longlist for the 2011 Charlotte Award

Praise

“After reading the Shenanigan Series with my grade 7 class, the highlight is always being able to meet the author. During his presentation, Andreas shares his experiences of writing and immediately engages the students with his enthusiasm and creativity.”